Drivers in California must be alert to the dangers posed by commercial trucks and tractor-trailers. Given that trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, occupants of smaller vehicles are especially vulnerable. Truck accident statistics show that the majority of those who die in truck accidents are occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, while motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are also at risk.
The Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at J&Y Law are dedicated to keeping California’s roads and highways safe for motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you have a right to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. When you become our client, you can rest assured we will hold the negligent party accountable, whether that’s the trucking company, the truck driver or another motorist who may have caused the accident.
Above all, we will see to it that you receive the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve. Guided by the principle that truck accident victims and their families deserve justice, we will stand by you every step of the way and fight tirelessly for your rights.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
A number of factors contribute to truck accidents such as vehicle failure, speeding, fatigue and physical impairment. A key factor in truck accidents, however, is the weight and stopping distance of the commercial truck or tractor-trailer. While the weight of a typical passenger vehicle is about 2.5 tons, a tractor-trailer with cargo can weigh as much as 40 tons. It takes far longer to stop a tractor-trailer than a passenger vehicle, and the faster a truck is traveling, the longer it takes to stop.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “loaded tractor-trailers take 20-40 percent farther than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes.” Because of the size and weight of a commercial truck, injuries and fatalities are common after truck accidents.
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Truck Accidents: The Grim Statistics
A recent Large Truck Causation Study conducted for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that:
- 27 percent of trucks were found to have brake problems
- 3 percent of trucks experienced tire problems
- 19 percent of drivers were unfamiliar with the route
- 10 percent of truck drivers felt pressured to meet deadlines
- 7 percent of drivers were overly tired
- 5 percent of truck drivers were driving in an aggressive manner
Statistics from the IIHS about truck accident fatalities are equally alarming. The independent organization’s 2017 data shows that 4,102 people were killed in truck accidents throughout the nation. Of those deaths, 68 percent involved occupants of passenger vehicles, while motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists accounted for 14 percent of fatalities. In spite of state and federal truck safety regulations, motorists are at an increased risk of being killed in a truck accident. The IIHS also reports that the number of people killed in large truck accidents was 30 percent higher in 2017 than in 2009.
With more truck accidents occurring each year across the nation and in California, J&Y Law is committed to holding negligent trucking companies and truck drivers accountable. We have a proven history of helping truck accident victims and their families recover significant compensation.
Call Our California Truck Accident Attorney
Being involved in a truck accident is an overwhelming experience, particularly when catastrophic injuries or deaths occur. At J&Y Law, we have working knowledge of the applicable truck safety regulations and negligence law and a well-deserved reputation for being aggressive advocates. If you have been injured in a truck accident, we will fight to help you obtain just compensation.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be awarded economic and non-economic damages. While economic damages are designed to compensate you for actual losses (e.g. lost wages, past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity), non-economic damages cover intangibles such as pain and suffering.
If a family member has been killed in a truck accident, we will determine if there is a legal basis for a wrongful death lawsuit. No amount of money can ever replace a loved one, however, we believe you deserve justice for the emotional harm you have endured and the loss of care, support and services your loved one would have provided.
It is important to note that J&Y Law handles all truck accident cases on a contingency basis. This means you will not pay any attorneys’ fees unless we win your compensation. When you work with us, we will provide you with the powerful representation you need and the personal attention you deserve. Please contact our office today for a free evaluation of your case.
Call or text (877) 735-7035 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
